About Us
THE ONE TRUE TRAVEL GUITAR
Snapdragon make compact, premium travel guitars that never compromise on feel, setup, or sound.
The SnapDragon Story
The journey began when Gerry Dale, a keen guitarist and engineer, was dismayed by how difficult it was to carry a conventional instrument on board a flight. He searched for a solution but was left wanting.
Folding and collapsible guitars existed, but nearly all of them featured partial dismantlement, hinges in awkward places, or unusual tuning mechanisms. Gerry wanted an instrument that felt like a standard guitar, with conventional tuning and set-up, but could also switch from storage to playing mode in a moment with ease.
Built by a "Mad Scientist"
As an engineer and designer with over 50 years of experience, and a reputation as somewhat of a mad scientist, Gerry felt he was up to the task of reinventing the travel guitar.
He started by crafting his own personal guitars. Soon, friends and other musicians he met on his travels expressed interest. The demand was clear: the world needed a travel guitar that didn't compromise. **And so, Snap Dragon Guitars was born!**
Designed, Made, and Finished in the UK
From those small beginnings, Snap Dragon Guitars has gone from strength to strength. We now run out of our dedicated workshop in Chelmsford, Essex.
The construction of every Snap Dragon Guitar is a meticulous process that harmonizes modern technology with traditional artistry. We begin with state-of-the-art CNC machines to carve the bodies and necks, ensuring perfect precision in every contour. From this foundation, the human touch takes over: every neck and body is sanded and finished by hand to achieve a flawless feel. The critical steps of fretwork, electronics and the final set-up are all completed meticulously in-house.
Our commitment to quality means that no instrument is ever shipped until it has been thoroughly checked and played, guaranteeing it is the best it can be and ready to inspire its new owner.